Most people enjoy eggs; in fact, the average person consumes about 150 to 200 eggs a year. Those of us who live on farms probably consume more than that easily! I mean, worldwide, more than a trillion eggs are consumed annually. Now ask yourself this: What becomes of all these shells? Well, let’s be honest, most people just toss the shells in the garbage, never giving them a second thought. I mean, it’s garbage, right?!
Wrong … Did you know that these egg shells have enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to grow a baby chicken from a single cell? The shell is comprised of about 96% calcium carbonate, which is bonded together by proteins. It’s literally one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. So instead of throwing your eggshells out into the garbage, try one of these 7 brilliant uses for "recycling" those spent eggshells.
Preparing your eggshells for use is easy and takes almost no time. After you have emptied your egg, give it a good wash, making sure it’s free from any egg residue. I like to use mildly diluted soapy water and my fingers to clean inside the egg. You can then leave them out on a towel or cookie sheet to air dry or place them outside to dry in the sun. Easy right?!? Once you have a stock pile of egg shells, you can crumble, crush, and pulverize them to the size you want.
1. Fertilizer for Plants: Eggshells add a great source of calcium to your plants. Eggshells take a long time to decompose, so make sure you crush them up into smaller pieces prior to dispersing. You can either sprinkle the eggshells around the top of the soil or, for those calcium-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers, place your shells in the bottoms of your planting holes.
2. Deterrent for Pests: Got a problem with snails and slugs? Well, try some coarsely crumbled eggshells around the bottom and perimeter of your plants. The sharp edges will discourage slugs and snails from crossing the barrier, and they will in turn go elsewhere to dine.
3. Seed starter Pots: Interested in trying this technique? Here’s how to do it: Crack or make a small hole in your egg at the pointy end and release the contents, being mindful to keep the egg mostly intact. Clean the insides with boiling water and puncture a small drainage hole in the bottom of each empty shell. Place in your carton, fill with potting soil, and plant away! Transplant the entire thing into the garden when it is ready. I like to crush the bottom of the shell slightly to give the roots ample room to grow and spread their legs prior to placing the whole thing in the ground.
4. Give Back to the Birds - I actually feed my eggshells back to my chickens, and they gobble them up! But if you don’t have any chickens, you can absolutely give them to the wild birds, especially this time of year when they are all laying eggs and caring for the young. To do this, I sterilize my chicken eggs by baking them at 250°F for about 10–12 minutes. You want the shells to be dry, but try to avoid browning the insides. You can then crumble and place it outside near a feeder, add pulverized crumbles to birdseed (or, like me, add them to my chicken feed or scratch), or add them to suet in the feeders. If you are looking to get small crumbles, you can use a mortar and pestle or add them to a baggie and crush with a rolling pin until you get the desired consistency.
5. Discourage Deer Activity in Your Garden: Did you know that deer do not like the smell of albumin and will steer clear of areas that smell like raw eggs? So if you have some deer feeding in your garden like it’s an open buffet, you can scatter eggshells around the plants they are feasting on. Be warned, however, that this could attract smaller vermin like rodents, so be mindful and keep an eye on your garden!
6. Add Some Bling: The stark white eggshells or your farm-fresh Easter egg eggshells are so pretty against the darkness of your soil. With the pops of blues, greens, browns, and whites, it can be quite eye-catching. It’s a cheap and simple way to add some bling to your garden that doubles as pest control and a soil nutrient booster!
7. Compost Those Shells: There is a lot of debate out there about throwing your eggshells in your compost. But have no fear—it’s perfectly safe and a great addition to your compost bin or pile. I would make sure you wash them first to remove any residue, and be prepared for them to probably not be completely decomposed when you go to use your compost. But seriously, who cares? It’s good for the soil, adds vital nutrients, and will help deter pests.
Now that you know these seven creative ways to utilize eggshells in your garden, you and your plants can get the nutritional advantages of one of nature's most ideal foods. So save your eggshells!
References Adapted By:
7 Brilliant Uses For Eggshells In Your Garden. (2022, January 4). Natural Living Ideas. https://www.naturallivingideas.com/eggshell-uses-in-the-garden/
Calcium carbonate - Wikipedia. (2011, March 31). Calcium Carbonate - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_carbonate
8 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Slugs In Your Garden. (2016, January 29). Natural Living Ideas. https://www.naturallivingideas.com/get-rid-of-slugs/
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